Top 5 — Haiti Shines at NBA Finals
PLUS: Caribbean nations advance in World Cup qualifying, Julien Alfred teams up with BodyHoliday, and more
Whatsup Squad,
Let’s jump into the top stories of the week:
⭐️ FEATURE STORY
Haiti Shines at NBA Finals
Lu Dort and Bennedict Mathurin are making history.
Not only are they the first Montreal-born players to share an NBA Finals court, they’re also the first Haitians to do it.
“Haiti is a great and amazing country. I just think the country is a little lost right now. But for Lu and me, it’s a great opportunity. The slogan is ‘Ansanm nou fò,’ meaning ‘we must come together.’ I feel like that’s a great starting point.”
- Bennedict Mathurin
Both players grew up speaking Creole and remain deeply connected to their Haitian roots.
In a world saturated with negative headlines and harmful narratives about Haiti, stories like Dort and Mathurin’s feel like a breath of fresh air.
Bottom Line - There are nearly 180,000 people of Haitian origin in Canada, and most of them live in Montreal. Dort and Mathurin grew up in the same neighborhood, and their journeys embody the strength and resilience of the Haitian people.
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🇺🇸 America
$2.8B Settlement Paves the Way for Colleges to Pay Athletes Directly
A federal judge has approved the House v. NCAA settlement — a landmark $2.8B deal that will allow Division I schools to directly compensate athletes starting July 1.
In addition to scholarships and NIL deals, Power Five schools can now allocate up to 22% of their average annual athletic revenue (roughly $20.5M) for athlete compensation.
The NCAA will also pay $2.6B in back damages to athletes who competed from 2016 onward.
Bottom Line - While the settlement benefits domestic athletes, international student-athletes still face significant earning restrictions tied to their visa status.
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🇯🇲 Jamaica
NBA Stars Eye Team Jamaica
Since Norman Powell confirmed his commitment to play for Jamaica this summer, interest in representing Team Jamaica has picked up quickly.
Now, Scottie Barnes and Devin Vassell are making headlines as potential additions to the team.
Because neither player was born in Jamaica or holds a Jamaican passport, they will not be able to participate in this summer’s FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Pre-Qualifiers.
But that’s just the beginning. Jamaica could potentially onboard even more NBA talent like Andre Drummond, Cam Whitmore, and Max Christie.
Bottom Line - This summer, Team Jamaica will be led by the NBA trio of Norman Powell, Nick Richards, and Josh Minott. Looking ahead, Jamaica may have the deepest pool of untapped talent in global hoops.
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🏝️ Caribbean
Caribbean Nations Advance in World Cup Qualifying
The road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 is heating up, and the Caribbean is very much still in the game.
Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti, Curaçao, and Suriname have all advanced to the final round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying.
Next up: 12 teams will be drawn into 3 groups of 4. Each group winner qualifies directly and the top two runners-up go to an inter-federation playoff.
Bottom Line - With up to 8 total slots available, the Caribbean has its best shot ever of having multiple representatives.
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🇱🇨 Saint Lucia
Julien Alfred Teams Up with BodyHoliday
Olympic gold medalist Julien Alfred is teaming up with Saint Lucia’s BodyHoliday resort to lead its fall WellFit program.
From October 6-11, guests will train with the fastest women in the world.
In addition to active sessions, Julien is preparing custom workout programs that she and her team will lead throughout the week.
Guests will also receive take-home handouts with sample routines and expert tips to continue their wellness journey after departure.
As part of the partnership, the resort is also supporting Alfred’s foundation, which helps provide support and opportunities for young athletes and underprivileged communities in Saint Lucia.
Bottom Line - Saint Lucia is demonstrating how sports, wellness, and tourism can come together, with Julien Alfred leading the charge.
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Until next time ✌🏾
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